Rachel Claire Ward is an esteemed English-Australian figure known for her versatile roles as an actress, film director, screenwriter, and television director. Born on 12 September 1957 in Cornwell, United Kingdom, Ward has carved a significant niche in the film industry, particularly in Australia. Her career, spanning across modeling, acting, directing, and scriptwriting, showcases her diverse talents and contributions to cinema.

Ward's foray into the world of literature, especially targeting teenagers and young adults, marks another facet of her creativity. Her debut novel, Numbers, published in January 2009, received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and won regional prizes such as the Angus Book Award, the Oxfordshire Book Award, and the Salisbury Schools Book Award. Following the success of Numbers, she continued to captivate her audience with sequels The Chaos (2010) and Infinity (2011), and The Drowning (2013), further establishing her proficiency as an author.

Residing in Bath, UK, with her husband and two children, Ward enjoys a plethora of activities ranging from reading and outdoor swimming to watching films and advocating for vegetarianism and fair trade products. Her personal interests, including a love for dogs, cats, and the outdoors, alongside her passion for writing, reflect her multifaceted personality and dedication to various causes.